Bijelo prijestolje

The White Throne by Josip Cvrtila is one of the few works by Cvrtila intended for an adult audience, while the author is otherwise better known for his literature for children and young adults. The work depicts the life of the rural intelligentsia – teachers, priests and other educated individuals in the provinces – with an emphasis on their internal conflicts, ideals and dealing with the reality of Croatian society in the thirties. Cvrtila idealizes, but with a warm and moral approach, a world in which noble aspirations collide with the pragmatic demands of everyday life, material concerns and social pressures.

The novel exudes Christian ethical principles that were close to the author, and critics have highlighted it for its poetic style, psychological portraits of the characters and the alternating narration of the plot and the spiritual reflections of the main character. The style is clear, emotional and didactic, typical of the Catholic literary orientation of the interwar period.

The first edition from 1933 with a soft cover is today quite rare and sought after among collectors of Croatian interwar literature. The cover with a photomontage makes it interesting also for fans of bibliographic editions with avant-garde design elements.

The book will especially appeal to readers who love Croatian literature between the two world wars, works with a Christian worldview, and those looking for authentic images of provincial life and intellectuals of the time.